A simulation model of the fuel handling system in a nuclear reactor

This article demonstrates the outcome of a study of the fuel handling system in the experimental breeder reactor (EBR-II). In this article, a mathematical model of the fuel handling system is described which predicts the systemʹs performance under different fuel handling scenarios. In particular, the following two scenarios are studied: (a) a feasible fuel handling schedule to unload 330 blanket S/A in a period of 3 yr with minimal interruption to the normal operation of the reactor; and (b) a feasible fuel handling schedule to shut down and unload the reactor and the storage tank. In addition, the interactions between different sub-systems are highlighted and the results of different sensitivity analysis, performed to scrutinize the systemʹs capability under different constraining procedures are reviewed.